Parks Canada says euthanized bison had become a danger

We’re learning more about the decision Parks Canada made after putting down one of the bison it had been trying to reintroduce to Banff National Park.

The problem started after two adult bulls ventured well outside of the reintroduction area with one trending northward and the other moving in an easterly direction.

The second bull had moved too far east and was into provincial lands used for grazing cattle and only a short distance from private property.

“Early in the project, Parks Canada committed to stakeholders to keep bison out of private lands near Banff National Park to avoid interactions between bison and domestic cattle,” said Resource Conservation Manager Bill Hunt. “Our options for recapturing the bull in this situation were compromised by various factors including the speed at which the bison was moving eastward, the availability of key resources such as staff and helicopters. Wildfires burning in the immediate area and throughout Western Canada left limited availability of helicopters and smoke reduced visibility and made telemetry more difficult. These factors also presented a risk to staff safety.”

Hunt says at that same time, the main bison herd was edging northwards toward the Red Deer River, following a similar path the initial bulls took out of the area.

According to officials, the decision to put down the first animal was difficult and was made with the well-being of the herd in mind.

Parks Canada was successful in capturing the second bull that left the area, and he was flown to a horse trailer to be transported to Waterton Lakes National Park.

“We are pleased that the remaining bison (33) have settled back into the heart of the reintroduction zone in Banff National Park’s backcountry,” said Hunt. “Parks Canada remains committed to restoring North America’s largest land mammal to Canada’s first national park.”

A third bull has wandered a few kilometres away from the rest of his colleagues but has stayed within the park.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today